Jimmy Witherspoon - Definition and Overview

James (Jimmy) Witherspoon (1923-1997) was an American blues singer.

He first attracted attention singing with Teddy Weatherford's band in Calcutta, India, which made regular radio broadcasts over the U. S. Armed Forces Radio Service during World War II. Witherspoon made his first records with Jay McShann's band in 1945. In 1949, recording under his own name with the McShann band, he had his first hit, "Ain't Nobody's Business", a song which came to be regarded as his signature tune. In 1950 he had hits with two more songs closely identified with him: "No Rollin' Blues" and "Big Fine Girl".

Witherspoon's style of blues became unfashionable in the mid-1950s, but he returned to popularity with his 1959 album, Jimmy Witherspoon at the Monterey Jazz Festival. He later recorded with Ben Webster, Richard "Groove" Holmes, and T-Bone Walker, and toured in the 1970s with a highly regarded band of his own featuring Robben Ford. He continued performing into the 1980s.